Dozens of college scholarships are available for Akron and Summit County teenagers preparing for college, job training or other pathways after high school. 

Why is this important? 

Tuition at four-year public universities in the United States has increased more than 36% since 2010, according to the Education Data Initiative. In Ohio, in-state residents this fall will pay an average of $14,000 annually — that amount increases with books, room and board.

Private school tuition is even steeper. 

“There is no such thing as a small scholarship,” said Stephanie Hammond, who manages school counselors in Akron Public Schools. “By planning ahead, setting aside time to complete what is needed, and being successful in the classroom, scholarships are the key to opening the door for students to achieve their goal of post-secondary education without having to worry about digging out of a hole after they graduate.”

Some students will leverage this financial support to attend local institutions of higher learning — the University of Akron, Kent State University, Stark State College, Walsh University, Malone University and more — while others will choose campuses beyond Northeast Ohio. Some scholarships originate from local organizations such as the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Earlier this year, the organization hosted the 41st Annual Les Belles Perles Cotillion. Over the years, this event has presented more than 700 debutantes and awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships to local students and community programs.

Know of any scholarships that are not included in this article? Email Signal Akron Education Reporter Andew Keiper at andrew@signalakron.org.

Since 2003, the Tom Floyd and Floyd Family Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to 138 Firestone graduates. In July, Floyd was inducted into the Firestone Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since 2003, the Tom Floyd and Floyd Family Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to 138 Firestone graduates. In July, Floyd was inducted into the Firestone Athletic Hall of Fame.

What college scholarships are available for Akron and Summit County students

Akron Public Schools offers a variety of scholarships, from district-wide to school specific. View the full list here. 

Here’s a sampling of available scholarships.

  • The Choose Ohio First Scholarship provides money and other resources to STEM students planning to attend the University of Akron. 
  • The Innovation Generation Scholarship is for APS students who apply for admission to the University of Akron, at which point they’re automatically considered for the scholarship. 
  • Sallie May offers Scholly Scholarships, a resource that continually updates with available scholarships, most from outside of Akron. 
  • The Robert H. Eckart Memorial Scholarship of Summit County was established in honor of Robert Eckart for his extended service to the Summit County Farm Bureau and his community. The scholarship assists students who are pursuing degrees related to agriculture or have been active in the Farm Bureau and/or whose parents are Farm Bureau members.
  • . 
  • For students planning after high school to pursue a vocational training program, not necessarily a four-year degree, the Mularcik Welding Scholarship is available. 
  • The Horatio Alger Scholarship is for students who have a financial need and have experienced adversity in their lives. The organization awards more than 100 scholarships nationally — worth $25,000 each. (With one application, students are considered for all scholarships.) 
  • STEM Career Day Scholarships are offered by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for students planning to pursue STEM-focused degrees. 
  • The Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus provides assistance for tuition and fees to six graduating Akron Public Schools students. Students can view the application here.
  • The PEARL Foundation offers aid to Black seniors in Summit County who garner a 3.0 GPA and 30 community service hours. Students must submit an essay and two letters of recommendation. Here’s more information.
  • The Akron Urban League Scholarship is available to Summit County residents — interested students can view the requirements here. Be prepared for an interview before being awarded the scholarship. 
  • The Joy Park Neighborhood Federation Scholarship awards four students who plan to pursue college or vocational training with at least $1,000. 
  • The Cavaliers Scholarship Programs will award a total of $100,000 for students planning to pursue higher education. There are multiple scholarships with different requirements. You can view the details here. 
  • If you’re a student planning to pursue a career in natural gas or an energy-related industry, you can apply for the Ohio Gas Association Scholarship.
  • The Akron Community Foundation awards a bevy of scholarships, some of which are focused on a specific area of study, while others help students attend a donor’s alma mater. View the full list here.
  • Becoming the Change Scholarship is a newer scholarship through A Queen’s Touch LLC. The organization will award scholarships to two graduating seniors. 
  • APS seniors planning to pursue a career in journalism, communications, marketing or public relations can apply for the Sojourner Truth 2025 Scholarship.
  • The Elliot Scholars Scholarship Program offers a renewable $5,000 scholarship for graduating seniors with a 3.4 GPA who will be  first-generation college students and have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is awarded through Kent State University. 
  • Students who have been identified as gifted during their K-12 education are eligible for the College Scholarship Award for Undergraduate Students through the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. 
  • The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron offers the Ernie Liska Memorial Scholarship for students planning to pursue a college degree or become certified in a vocation or building trade. 
  • The Ohio Association of State and Federal Education Programs offers scholarships to high school seniors. Candidates are selected by the district, but students can still apply to be considered. 
  • The American Theatre Wing offers the Andrew Lloyd Webber University Scholarship for students planning to study any aspect of theatre. The scholarships are worth $10,000.
  • ASIA Inc. offers the Aiming Higher Scholarship for refugee students in Northeast Ohio in coordination with the Coleman Foundation. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded.
  • Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Summit County seniors who are student-athletes. Students can apply for the Bruce Buchholzer Scholarship here.
Signal background

Common requirements for scholarship applications

If you’re applying for universities, you have likely compiled the most common documents required for scholarships: 

  • Photo ID
  • High school transcript 
  • Some scholarships may also require standardized test scores (ACT and/or SAT). 

Many scholarships are available for a specific demographic or group of people (veterans, minority students or those from a specific city or region). Because of this, they may require documentation to verify eligibility. Similarly, need-based scholarships may ask for verification of financial status. Commonly, that’s FAFSA information or parental income forms. 

During the college and scholarship application season, it’s a good idea to keep these oft-needed documents organized and backed up on computers. 

Are essays part of scholarships?

One of the staples of scholarship requirements is the essay or personal statement. Selection committees put a lot of stock into student’s words, and it’s not unheard of for a strong essay to make up for less-than-stellar academic performances. 

Typically, these writings focus on goals, reasons for applying, achievements in school and life, or they answer a prompt. Applications may also include a question and answer section. You can have a general outline that you refer to for different applications, but try to make each essay authentic and original. 

Writing a scholarship essay for the first time? Here are a few tips from Pierce College.

Signal background

How to get leg up on scholarships: Extracurricular activities and a letter of recommendation

Sometimes, scholarships heavily weigh on students’ extracurricular activities, such as school clubs, sports or leadership roles. Even if the outside activities aren’t a prerequisite for the scholarship, they certainly look good when included in applications. 

Serving as class president or being selected for homecoming court are great, but they’re not the only extracurriculars that carry weight. Were you on the chess club your freshman year? Include it in your application. Junior varsity bowling? Include that too. You want to demonstrate to  scholarship selection committees that you’ve been an invested and active member of your school and community. 

One pro tip for underclassmen: Get involved in a club or sport that interests you now so you’re not scrambling for experience as a senior. Typically, the more competitive or prestigious a university or scholarship is, the more consideration they’ll place on extracurriculars. 

Why write a resume in high school?

One way to keep all of this information organized and easy to access is by creating a resume, which should include contact information in a visible place. When you move into your professional life, a resume typically includes job experience, notable skills and awards, recognitions or certifications. 

If you don’t have that kind of experience yet, that’s alright. You can include any activities outside of the classroom and skills you’ve learned thus far. Here’s a guide to crafting a resume from Kent State University. 

Former Education Reporter
Andrew is a native son of Northeast Ohio who previously worked at the Akron Beacon Journal, News 5 Cleveland, and the Columbus Dispatch before leaving to work in national news with the Investigative Unit at Fox News. He is a graduate of Kent State University.